Essential Biology 03.

1: Chemical Elements and Water

1. What are the four most commonly occurring elements in living things?
The four elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.

2. State some functions of each of these elements in living things:

a. Iron Symbol: Fe Ion: 2+

Function(s): Used to make chlorophyll, used in photosynthesis as ferredoxin, binds with

oxygen for transport and facilitates the movement of electrons in cells.

a. Sulphur Symbol: S Ion: 2-

Function(s): Reactant for chemoautotrophs and produce organic molecules from hydrogen
sulphide, carbon dioxide and oxygen.

b. Calcium Symbol: Ca Ion: 2+

Function(s): Used in the production of exoskeletons of animals and unicellular organisms

and the propagation of an electrical signal along nerves and muscle contraction.

c. Phosphorous Symbol: P Ion: 3-

Function(s): Essential in the formation of the phospholipid layer, an active component of

ATP molecules and make up the ‘backbone’ of DNA.

d. Sodium Symbol: Na Ion: 1+

Function(s): Essential in generating an action potential for nerve impulses and is the main
cation for blood plasma.

e. Potassium Symbol: K Ion: 1-

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Essential Biology 03.1: Chemical Elements and Water

Function(s): Plays a role in nerve impulses, has a strong influence in osmosis and is the main
cation in cell cytoplasm.

3. In the space below, draw three water molecules attracted to one another by hydrogen
bonding. Include labels to show the polarity of the molecules.
Annotate: How does H-bonding work?

6. Water has many properties which are essential for life. Complete the table below.

Explanation Significance to living things

Water has a high specific heat capacity. This
means it takes a lot of energy for the
Thermal Properties temperature of water to change. This is
because there are so many H-bonds.
Most organisms are adapted to a
narrow range of conditions. The slow
heating and cooling of water are ideal
for these organisms – there is less risk of
extreme changes.

A single hydrogen bond is not very strong. A
large number of hydrogen bonds is very
Cohesion strong. Molecules of water stick to each other,
and water sticks to other surfaces.
These properties lead to capillary action,
where water will move up xylem against
gravity, and surface tension, where the
surface of water is strong enough to
support insects and causes drops to
form.

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Essential Biology 03.1: Chemical Elements and Water

Water is a good solvent because it is a polar Polar attractions cause water molecules
Solvent Properties molecule. It will dissolve polar solutes easily. to surround and isolate the solute
molecules.

(include uses as a coolant, medium for metabolic reactions, transport medium)

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